Your Game Plan for an Injury-Free Basketball Season

Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, is excited that basketball season is officially here! Whether you’re hitting the court in high school, college, or just for recreation, your feet and ankles are the engine driving every jump, pivot, and fast break. But all that running, landing, and quick cutting can put your feet under stress. Here are our top tips for swishing your season foot injury free.

Sneakers and Socks

You want to look for high ankle support and sneakers that give you that bounce. This combo will ensure your ankles are supported and the bottoms of your feet have excellent padding.

If your current shoes are showing significant midsole compression or if they’re a season old, it’s time to replace them. That worn-out cushion is an invitation for stress fractures and joint pain.

Also, get some higher-quality athletic socks like Nike Dri-Fit to keep your feet dry; it’s simple, but it prevents friction that causes blisters and wards off athlete’s foot.

Take Drills Seriously

Strong ankles are stable ankles. You need to focus on building the muscles that stabilize the joint during lateral cuts.

Incorporate simple balance drills into your warm-up: practice standing on one leg for 30 seconds at a time. Do calf raises regularly to strengthen the muscles that support your Achilles tendon.

This consistent effort turns your muscles into a natural, internal brace and makes you less likely to roll an ankle in game.

Get Flexible

Tight muscles are brittle muscles, and they are prone to tearing.

If you take five minutes before every practice or game to do a proper warm-up, you’ll avoid tight calves and avoid inflammatory injuries like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.

This regular stretching helps relieve the tension that pulls on your heel and keeps your push-off explosive and efficient.

The Ankle Sprain Check

If you have a history of ankle sprains, your job is to give that joint extra support. And with that history, our sneaker advice from earlier won’t be enough.

Talk to your podiatrist or athletic trainer about supportive taping techniques or whether a brace might be a smart choice for added external stability during games.

This small measure can help you prevent the cycle of chronic instability that often sidelines players season after season.

Pace Yourself

Avoid pushing too hard, too fast, especially early in the season.

Overloading your feet and ankles can quickly lead to painful overuse injuries like shin splints or stress fractures. Smart rest and gradual progression are just as important as running drills.

 For any questions about foot health and wellness, reach out to the tenured staff at My Chicago Foot Expert by calling (773) 561-8100 or by clicking here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.